Latest news with #Badawi
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Search for the protest gene, love the protest gene
JUNE 26 — Your protests, better than mine? The students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, maligned for their pyrotechnic antics in Kota Kinabalu over the weekend, tossed back the question to national leaders. Those who characterise the Kota Kinabalu protest as foreign to local customs and rife with offensive behaviour, therefore wholly unacceptable, might want to remember — not too long ago they too were accused of the same sins. Back then, not ancient history, Pakatan Harapan leaders lined up with civil society leaders to protest. The Badawi and Najib administrations labelled them then as dangerous and a threat to the Malaysian way of life. And just to add the cherry to the cake, the students unfurled a picture of the prime minister as a student leader joining others to light up their own protest in the early 70s, the Razak administration. To the prime minister's credit, he asked the government to stand down. Protests here, protests there Twenty-one years ago, in the Badawi era where few had the appetite for protest, my letter to the editor read this, 'The change we seek, may only be found in the marches we make for freedom.' The subject recurs, protest. In view of the SST, subsidy rationalisations and strings of court cases pending, the people's voice is firmly on the agenda. The thing is, and often it's a misconceived notion, the assumption is the people's voice is singular. It's not. A bunch over there want to say this, and the bunch at the other end say the complete opposite, and both welded to their thinking. And a slew of people in the cusp, overlaps and partial support to views and stands. A democracy is a marketplace of ideas equally respected, by the law. A classic display was shortly after the first change of government in 2018. Those aligned to deposed prime minister Najib Razak were loud. And so were those in vociferous anti-Najib groups still celebrating his demise. Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam and friends charged at those protesting Najib speaking at Universiti Malaya on March 22, 2019. They were later charged in court. Protest and violence, they are neighbours, let's not kid ourselves. When emotions are physically gathered, there is every chance of trouble. That is just human nature. There is the other side of the coin. This column stated 'the right to protest is sacred. It has its downsides but without it democracies suffer.' That was eight years ago. Which is why Article 10 of our Constitution spells out our right to associate, to speak out. Which is why our civil servants, law enforcement especially together with local councils, must assist with protests, not impede them. The government's new challenge is to facilitate the people's voices, not adjudicate them. It is for the rakyat to view these protests, these exclamations of objections or support. There is no right or wrong reasons for protests, just whether there are those who are willing to join it and accept to operate with civility. Rules are drawn, and referees have to be firm but fair. They must restrain from striking at the weakest chains of gatherings. For it is too easy to do. If 10,000 assemble to say they do not like Najib, today, to remain in prison and want him in house arrest conditions, there will be 10 who will seriously misbehave. That's not poor discipline, that's just expected. Idiots are everywhere. To judge the many on the very few is to act in bad faith. This is the same for any protesters, that they exhibit weaknesses. They who choose to stand out But they will protest every week! No, they won't. In any country, to get action out of the people who spend 70 per cent of their non-working/family time looking down at a smartphone sits squarely in the improbable zone. It's a bummer to spend a day out to support an idea, a position. There's the iconic picture of Anwar Ibrahim standing outside in the city in the days after his sacking from government in 1998. The masses standing there in and around Dataran Merdeka. Anwar is prime minister, and that long road to the office was not by accident nor without the people. The people in the background, the unnamed faces were the wind for his sail. It is easier to convince the ambitious to fight for power. It is tricky to invite the indifferent to show up for the eventual benefits of others. They say no. They ask, what will happen to me if the protest goes south? They might ask, as in the case of the students with Suara Mahasiswa UMS, are we risking 17 years of education, from primary to a bachelor's degree, just to say NO to the prime minister. The student leaders may end up as MPs or even ministers when co-opted by the very people objecting to the demonstration. But for the regular dudes and dudettes making the numbers, standing up to show conviction? In any country, to get action out of the people who spend 70 per cent of their non-working/family time looking down at a smartphone sits squarely in the improbable zone. — Unsplash pic Not everyone ends up as Anwar, Adam Adli or the just freed from criminal charges, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. To risk expulsion from university and social condemnation from friends and family just to attend a protest. To have a PTPTN loan and only a cashier job to pay for it because the engineering degree has gone bye-bye. The jeopardy is grief-stricken just thinking about it. There were no national protests in my undergraduate days in Bangi. I attended them in Manila when I lived there later. But would I have if Bangi roared back then against Mahathir Mohamad? The working-class kid from Cheras choosing to gamble his degree, his future? I cannot answer for sure. There were union and socialist protests, squatter evictions, small screams of injustice and I did not show up there in the early 90s. There are those who did then, and still do today. Circumstances are different today, but the risks are always the same. So, for those young people to stand up regardless if most Malaysians agree with their opinions, full props to them. It takes a lot to believe. It takes even more to stand for what you believe. At a time, this country is confronted by so many uncertainties, letting young people with courage and character carry on with their journeys with our explicit or implicit permission is not the worst outcome. They are the ones we might turn to in the future. Because they have experience, to stand up, not cower in the corners, even in the face of danger.
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt to Highlight New Licensing Opportunities at AEW 2025
Nada Mustafa Karim Badawi, Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference, taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – as a speaker. His participation comes as the country advances its latest licensing round, seeking to increase production through fresh investment in offshore and onshore blocks. With the round set to close in the second half of 2025, Egypt is gearing up for accelerated growth across its upstream industry. Egypt's latest licensing round was launched in March 2025, featuring 13 offshore and onshore blocks across key hydrocarbon regions. Available acreage includes seven undeveloped fields in the Mediterranean Sea, three offshore exploration blocks in the Gulf of Suez and three onshore exploration areas in the Western Desert. The bid round forms part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to attract new investment across the upstream sector and follows a previous 12-block round which closed in February 2025. During AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, Badawi is expected to share insights into the impact these licensing rounds will have on the market. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Egypt's bold licensing strategy comes as the country strives to mitigate production decline and support the development of high-potential blocks. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the country has set a target of drilling 586 oil and gas wells by 2030 and is strengthening collaboration with international partners to realize this goal. Recent deals and exploration milestones align with this strategy, indicating a positive growth trajectory for the country's upstream oil and gas sector. Egypt approved two transactions by Russian energy firm Lukoil in May 2025, covering exploration and production rights for acreage in the South Wadi El-Sahl region of the Eastern Desert and the Wadi El-Sahl area. Energy major ExxonMobil signed an MoU for a new operational framework in the Cairo and Masry offshore concession areas of the Mediterranean Sea while energy major Eni is spearheading a $26 billion investment strategy across three North African countries – including Egypt. In terms of drilling, Eni is preparing to drill two development wells at the Zohr gas field in 2025. ExxonMobil plans to drill a new offshore gas exploration well in the North Marakia Offshore Concession. The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company also plans to drill 17 exploratory and evaluation wells in 2025/2026, targeting acreage in the Delta and Mediterranean Sea. The company is investing $434 million in drilling activities. Beyond exploration, Egypt is working toward scaling-up its production and export capacity to support growing demand in both regional and international markets. As one of Africa's top gas producers, Egypt already plays an instrumental part in global supply chains, but upcoming projects stand to further consolidate its position as a global exporter. Turkey is deploying a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) to Egypt, which will provide LNG storage and regasification services to the country during peak demand periods in 2025. Another agreement was signed with energy infrastructure firm Höegh Evi for the supply of a FSRU, which will be situated at the Port of Sumed in Q4, 2026. The FSRU enhance the country's regasification and export capacity. Meanwhile, energy major Chevron announced plans to conduct a seabed survey in the eastern Mediterranean, aiming to develop a pipeline that will transport gas from Cyprus' Aphrodite field to processing facilities in Egypt. This will not only support regional gas monetization but cements Egypt's role as a regional petroleum hub. Badawi's insights at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 are expected to support both upcoming projects and efforts to integrate regional markets. 'Egypt is not only assessing short-term production strategies but implementing initiatives that ensure long-term growth across the upstream oil and gas industry. Spearheaded by Minister Badawi, the country is advancing its bold licensing strategy, offering blocks that have the potential to transform the exploration and production space. This approach signals a strong commitment by the government to establish a globally-competitive and resilient energy sector in North Africa,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Egypt Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
PM Madbouly tours national gas center, oversees arrival of new LNG vessel
Cairo – June 22, 2025: As part of an official tour on Saturday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly visited the National Control Center overseeing Egypt's natural gas network to assess the country's preparedness for increased energy consumption during the summer months. The facility, managed by GASCO, plays a crucial role in distributing gas nationwide and safeguarding supply to key sectors such as electricity generation, manufacturing, and residential use. During the visit, the Prime Minister received detailed briefings on the center's operational capabilities, including its contingency systems and its ability to manage inflows of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). In a related stop, Madbouly also toured the Energos Eskimo, a newly docked floating regasification vessel at Ain Sokhna Port, which is set to contribute to expanding the nation's LNG import infrastructure. The vessel is part of a government plan to deploy four such ships to enhance LNG import capacity. The Energos Eskimo, the second vessel of its kind after Hoegh Galleon entered service last year, will be transferred to a specially prepared berth at SUMED Port in Sokhna, capable of handling 750 million cubic feet of gas per day. Madbouly described the project as a reflection of Egypt's commitment to energy security and its proactive approach to managing seasonal demand peaks. Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi, who accompanied the Prime Minister, confirmed that a second berth at SUMED has been equipped with loading arms and pipelines connecting to the national gas network. Technical preparations for the vessel's integration into the system are expected to conclude within days. Badawi emphasized that the flexibility and resilience of the gas grid allow the state to adapt quickly to supply challenges and maintain reliable service. At the control center, officials from GASCO and EGAS highlighted the use of real-time monitoring systems and simulation software to manage national gas flows and anticipate consumption spikes. The network also coordinates continuously with the national electricity grid to ensure stable power generation, particularly during high-demand summer months. Madbouly praised the strategic approach taken by the petroleum sector, noting its ability to respond swiftly to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine. He also welcomed updates on the state's broader LNG strategy, which includes two additional FSRUs currently being prepared at Ain Sokhna and Sonker terminals, and a fourth vessel scheduled to arrive in Damietta this August. Together, the four vessels will bring an additional 2.25 billion cubic feet of gas per day into Egypt's supply mix. Badawi noted that these imports were secured through strategic negotiations with countries such as Jordan and Germany, leveraging Egypt's diplomatic relationships to ensure energy stability amid global market volatility. The petroleum minister concluded the tour by reaffirming that, alongside LNG imports, the government continues to invest in boosting domestic production. Exploration and development efforts are being ramped up, and recent measures to attract investment and stabilize partner payments are expected to gradually reverse natural production declines.
Daily News Egypt
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egyptian government, Elsewedy discuss expanding cooperation in petroleum, mining sectors
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi met with Ahmed El Sewedy, CEO and Managing Director of Elsewedy Electric, to discuss avenues for expanding joint cooperation in the fields of petroleum, mineral resources, petrochemicals, and green energy. During the meeting, Badawi presented the six foundational pillars of the Ministry's strategic plan, highlighting extensive investment opportunities within Egypt's petroleum sector and its rapidly developing mining industry. He emphasised the significance of transforming the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority into the 'Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority'—a newly established economic body that is expected to enhance the Authority's operational efficiency, foster better alignment with government and investor interests, and attract both foreign and local investment into the mining sector. This transformation, he noted, is a major step towards positioning Egypt as a regional hub for value-added mining activities. By tapping into both domestic mineral wealth and raw materials imported from African nations, Egypt aims to establish complementary industries that create added value across the supply chain. Badawi also reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to encouraging private sector involvement across these key sectors, stressing the mutual benefits for the state and investors alike. Ahmed El Sewedy, for his part, reiterated the group's strong interest in investing in mineral resources such as phosphate and kaolin, particularly through the development of downstream industries that enhance the value of these materials. He highlighted Elsewedy Group's broad international presence, with operations in more than 40 countries, and affirmed the company's intention to expand its footprint in Egypt through investments in mining, green energy, petroleum exploration services, and petrochemical industries. The meeting was also attended by senior officials, including Samir Raslan, Undersecretary of the Ministry for Exploration and Agreements; Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA); and Mohamed Radwan, Director of the Egypt Upstream Gateway and Vice President for Agreements and Exploration at Ganoub El Wadi Holding Company for Petroleum.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Corpses rotting in the Nile' as cholera tears through Sudan
After Sudan's army recaptured the national capital region of Khartoum in March, tens of thousands of people returned to check on their homes and reunite with loved ones. The joy of returning was tempered by the shock of seeing the damage caused during nearly two years under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that has been fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), recognised by many Sudanese and the UN as the de facto authority in Sudan, since April 2023. In a region whose hospitals and food and medicine stores had been systematically plundered by the RSF, many returnees started falling sick. Many of the returnees had settled in Omdurman, one of the national capital's three cities, where living conditions were slightly better than in the other cities. This is because several localities in Omdurman never came under the RSF's control, insulating it from heavy clashes, pillaging, and looting. Omdurman quickly became overcrowded, with 'thousands of people [returning] from Egypt alone', according to Dr Dirar Abeer, a member of Khartoum's Emergency Response Rooms, neighbourhood committees spearheading relief efforts across the country. The crowding, Dr Abeer said, meant an accelerated spread of cholera, an acute, highly contagious diarrhoeal infection that is endemic to Sudan and can be fatal if not treated. 'In areas south of the Nile in Omdurman, there are a lot of corpses rotting next to [or in] the Nile, and this has [partially] caused the spread of infection,' said Badawi, a volunteer in Omdurman who declined to give his full name due to the sensitivity of speaking in a warzone. Cholera has become an epidemic in Sudan, spreading in several states, including White Nile and Gadarif, and killing hundreds in the last two weeks. As in Khartoum, the spread was fuelled by overcrowding and a lack of essential services in these regions. The waterborne disease could be stopped with basic sanitation and provisions, said Fazli Kostan, the project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF. 'But that's not really possible right now,' he told Al Jazeera, referring to a lack of electricity to pump water since Omdurman's electricity grids went down on May 14. The RSF had fired a barrage of suicide drones that day, which took out major power stations and grids, consequently shutting down water treatment plants and causing a sharp rise in cases. Deprived of safe drinking and bathing water, people have resorted to drinking contaminated water from the Nile, as well as scooping up water from the ground after it rains, Badawi SAF-backed Ministry of Health (MoH) reported a huge surge in daily cholera cases in the national capital region between May 15 and May 25, with at least 172 people dying between May 20 and May 27. The UN says daily cases spiked from 90 to more than 815 in the latter half of May. Those who contract the disease often rush to the nearest hospital, further straining an already overwhelmed and ill-equipped health sector. However, local volunteers said many people do not experience life-threatening symptoms and that they would be better off staying at home and isolating themselves. The overcrowding at hospitals has further exacerbated the spread of the disease and overstrained the already collapsing health sector, they explained. 'We do not have enough medication or medical tools, and the rate of people coming to the hospitals is far more than we can handle,' said Kareem al-Noor, a medic at al-Nao hospital in Omdurman. 'The [remaining hospitals] are at full capacity and people are also waiting for treatment, crowded on the streets,' al-Noor added. Dr Abeer feels the SAF-backed health authorities are not doing enough to tackle the epidemic. While she acknowledged that the health sector was largely destroyed by the RSF, she believes the current health authorities could be doing more. Al Jazeera submitted written questions to Dr Montasser Towarra, the MoH spokesperson, asking him what measures the ministry is undertaking to help volunteers and to provide basic provisions. He had not answered by the time of publication. Sudan is also suffering an acute hunger crisis. Since the civil war, millions of Sudanese have struggled to feed their families due to spoiled harvests, the systematic looting of markets and food aid and the destruction of homes and livelihoods. According to the UN, about 25 million people – more than half the population – currently suffer extreme food shortages. Hunger can weaken bodies and lead to an acute increase in contagious diseases, according to Alex De Waal, an expert on Sudan and famine. He noted that civilians – especially children – have always been more likely to die from diseases if they are also on the brink of starvation. 'We could see an excess of hundreds of thousands of deaths [due to these factors] over the next year,' warned De UN has also warned that up to one million children could die from cholera unless the spread is thwarted quickly. The only way to thwart the health crisis is to repair basic provisions such as electricity and sewage systems to improve sanitation, said De Waal. However, he believes that repairing essential services is not a priority for the army, which remains the de facto authority. Al Jazeera sent written questions to SAF spokesperson, Nabil Abdullah, to ask if the army is planning on repairing vital resources such as bombed electricity grids. Abdullah said, 'These questions are not for the army, but for the Ministry of Health.' Tawarra from the MoH also did not respond to these questions. De Waal suspects the army is prioritising combat operations against the RSF. 'My sense is the army is too stretched financially and organisationally to prioritise anything other than fighting the war,' he told Al Jazeera.
